Sunday, July 26, 2009

Monday Bunday:Tri Bun Report

It has been a week with the fence up between the Spots and Amelia. In general things have settled down to a routine, which, of course, is imposed by the rabbits since they have watches and like to use them. At about 6 a.m. Amelia starts bouncing around in the back room, the Spots come to look in on her. They bounce around then go sit by their pellet bowl in the living room (bunroom, if you will). All rabbits get some morning pellets. Various rabbit-like activities ensue, napping, drinking (water), eating hay, flopping, chewing on cardboard or sticks or, less preferably, unprotected woodwork. Then around 10, the Spots like to have some greens. All the bunnies gather at the fence for a little greens party.

Greens party from above. Note: multi-layered fence to protect noses from nips, fence stabilized with bricks and tied is several places. Plastic flooring protection on Spots side, Amelia hasn't marked or peed outside of her box once, not once, knock on wood.

More rabbit activity or non-activity. At noon the Spots like to start their afternoon nap, these days one or both will check on Amelia before settling down in one of three favored locations. Another check occurs at 4 when they get up. Overall the Spots seem less interested in Amelia, which I take as actually a good sign; they are not as alarmed. They all eat greens together and I have observed both Tyler and Sydney grooming by the fence while Amelia also grooms. This means they are getting comfortable with each other. There is somewhat less marking and definitely less doot leaving. Sometimes, still, Tyler chases Sydney away from the fence, but this is infrequent and has little intensity. Sometimes they will run skittering tight circles in front of the fence. There is hardly any fence rattling. Tyler and Sydney's relationship seems unfazed. This was one of the things I was most worried about; I couldn't bare it if Sydney got a broken heart. When there is any visiting by the fence I try to stay away, but with an ear for trouble, so that they are behaving naturally and the bonding comes from their normal rabbit behavior.

The Spots from Amelia's side.

On Saturday the whole lagomorphic crew took a field trip to the adoption show held by The Rabbit Haven so they could get a good professional nail trim and check over. Although there is certainly a school of thought that promotes "stress bonding" this was not the reason I took them all out. I really did want them checked over and I wanted see if I could get them all there! Since I have a hard (read impossible) time catching Sydney I had to be indirect. For the past week I have had the carrier (it fits both Spots) open with a well loved snoozy pad in it. Both have hopped in and out and sometimes at the same time, and I put treats in at various times. Sometimes I would tell Sydney to go in and she would and I would tell her how good she was. If she went in by herself I would also tell her how very, very good she was. Luckily on Saturday morning just at the right time she went in and I told her how good she was and in a split second maneuvered the loitering Tyler in and shut the door. I put some dandelions greens through the air holes for them to eat and, after loading up the always cooperative Amelia, we were out the door in less than 7 minutes. All bunnies passed their check over, though both Tyler and Sydney needed their glands cleaned (I didn't know about this, I confess, but do now) and, much to her disappointment, Sydney was told she had to loose some weight. This means even less pellets and more and more hay (which is already provided in abundance).

OK, so maybe she could loose a little weight, but the camera adds ten pounds, right?

I haven't decided when I'm going to take the fence down, just not quite yet. I look forward to day when all three are running free from room to room in delightful chaos and snuggling together in peaceful bliss. I can dream can't I?

I enjoyed very much the tri-bub-a-bonding story. Sydney is like me, we both need to lose weight!! But I think it's kinda hard for them..there's practically not much activities around..unless you let them loose in the garden for some good running. Mine used to love it when they 'romp' in the garden...catching them was a real hard part for sure, plus many plants will be gone by then. I look forward to the day when the 'berlin' wall is down hehe..love/M